Human Allergy to Dogs

Dog Allergy Symptoms in People

• Sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and postnasal drip²
• Itchy, red or watery eyes²
• Hives, itchy skin or eczema²
• Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath in people with asthma^2,1

Symptoms can start within minutes or after a few hours.⁶ Dander is so small that it floats in the air and settles on carpets, furniture, bedding and clothes, so symptoms can happen even when no dog is in the room.^2,4 Dog allergen has been found in about 15% of homes without a dog, and in schools and public buildings.⁴ A dog's coat can also carry pollen and mold, so some people react to what the dog brings in.⁴

Pet allergy can make asthma harder to control. Up to 1 in 5 people with asthma are allergic to pets.^1,2 In a US survey, high bedroom dog allergen levels were linked to many asthma attacks in dog-sensitized people.⁹

How Dog Allergy Is Diagnosed

An allergist or your doctor can confirm a dog allergy with a skin prick test, read in about 15 minutes, or a blood test.^5,4,6 Newer blood tests can look at individual dog proteins.¹¹

• Can f 1 is the main dog allergen. It comes from skin glands and saliva.^11,12
• Can f 5 is made only by male dogs that haven't been neutered. About 3 in 10 dog-allergic people react only to this protein, and some of them may tolerate female or neutered male dogs.^11,13
• Can f 3 is similar to proteins from other animals, so a reaction to it alone may be a cross-reaction rather than a true dog allergy.^11,13

A positive test shows sensitization, not necessarily symptoms, so an allergist interprets results alongside your history.¹¹

Are Hypoallergenic Dogs Really Hypoallergenic?

No. Allergy experts agree that there are no truly non-allergenic dog breeds.^3,1,14 Breeds often marketed as hypoallergenic, such as Poodles and Poodle crosses, Portuguese Water Dogs, Bichon Frises, Maltese, Schnauzers and Airedale Terriers, usually shed less hair, but they still make the same allergens.^3,14 Fur length doesn't decide allergen levels.³ In one study, so-called hypoallergenic breeds, including Poodles and Labradoodles, had higher allergen levels in their coats than other dogs.^7,14

What does matter is the individual dog. Allergen levels vary more between dogs of the same breed than between breeds, so one dog may bother you far less than another.^7,3 Before committing, spend time with the specific dog you're thinking of adopting.¹⁴ A dog's allergen levels can change over time, and you can become allergic to other dog proteins, so no test can guarantee a match.³

Living With a Dog When You're Allergic

• Keep the dog out of your bedroom, and ideally off upholstered furniture.^1,4,5
• Use a HEPA air cleaner sized for the room, and a vacuum with a HEPA or double-layer filter bag.^4,14
• Choose hard floors or low-pile rugs over wall-to-wall carpet.^1,5,14
• Wash bedding and throws in hot water, and wash your hands after petting the dog.^1,5
• Ask someone without allergies to bathe, brush and clean up after the dog. Allergists suggest bathing the dog about once a week, if the dog tolerates it.^5,1
• Wear a mask while vacuuming or grooming.¹⁴

These steps work best together. Keeping away from the allergen is still the most effective measure.^4,5

If you take allergy medicine, keep it well out of your dog's reach. Antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eye drops can poison dogs.^15,16

Treatment for Dog Allergy

Treatment is managed by your doctor or an allergist. Common options include:^5,4

• Antihistamines. The newer, less-sedating types are generally suitable for long-term daily use.^4,5
• Steroid nasal sprays, which carry much less risk of side effects than steroid tablets, and eye drops for itchy eyes.^5,4
• Saline nasal rinses.⁵
• Leukotriene modifiers.⁵
• Allergy shots (immunotherapy), the only long-term treatment that can reduce the allergy itself. Some people improve within 6 months; others take a few years.^4,5

Slowly exposing an already allergic child to a puppy won't build tolerance.⁴ Allergy shots are the proven way to build tolerance over time.^4,6

Wondering whether your dog has allergies? See allergies in dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I'm allergic to my dog?

Sneezing, a stuffy nose, itchy eyes or hives around dogs suggest it. A skin prick or blood test confirms it.

Are there truly hypoallergenic dogs?

No. All dogs make allergens, but individual dogs vary, and some allergic people tolerate a particular dog.

Can you build up a tolerance to dogs?

Allergy shots can build tolerance over months to years. Simply living with a dog usually doesn't.

Can I live with a dog if I'm allergic?

Many people can, with a dog-free bedroom, HEPA filters, regular cleaning, someone else bathing the dog, and treatment from an allergist.

Are male or female dogs better for allergies?

Some people allergic only to a protein made by intact males tolerate female or neutered male dogs. An allergist can test for this.